Author's Note:
Thank you for all the lovely reviews.... I am so glad that the chapter flowed and gelled with the rest of the story....
To show my appreciation I have stolen time out of my hectic day to type and upload this chapter.
Enjoy and as always please review.... Thank you...
oooooooooOOOOOooooooooo
"NO!!!!"
Jenny was out of bed and half way across the room when a second scream shattered the silence.
She rushed in the room down the hall and stopped. In the stark moonlight she saw Gibbs' face contorted in a mixture of pain and terror. His hair was matted against his forehead, his torso was sleek with sweat, the bed sheet having slipped down to barely cover his hips. And his hands were fisted at his sides.
"Gibbs!" she switched on the lights and raced to his side.
"Jethro." She said louder, her palms cupping his face.
"I'm so sorry Jen. I didn't mean to kill them." Gibbs sobbed in his terror.
"Jethro, wake up." Jenny slapped his face.
"I didn't mean to kill our babies!" Gibbs cried.
"Oh God! Jethro. Please wake up." Jenny slapped him harder.
He gripped her wrist in a vicious hold and jerked awake.
"Jethro, look at me." Jenny winced as pain sizzled up her arm.
"Jen?" Gibbs blinked in confusion. "What... Oh God! Are you okay?" He removed his hand from her wrist and pushed her arms apart. He lifted her pajama top and pulled her pants down to reveal her belly. He ran his fingers across her skin and gasped back a sob.
"I didn't hurt you... You're okay? The babies are okay." He said looking up at her face.
"Oh Jethro." Jenny tried to hold back the tears that were closing up her throat.
"You are okay. Did I hurt you?" Gibbs demanded, his hands shaking against Jenny's skin.
"We are fine. All 3 of us are fine." Jenny replied as she pulled him into her arms. "We're fine."
"I was..." Gibbs stopped. He took a deep breath and pushed her away. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."
"Jethro, talk to me." Jenny said feeling the distance build up between them. He was withdrawing.
"It was just a dream. I don't even remember it now." Gibbs replied, pressing a hand to his head.
"Don't do this. Don't shut me out. Let me help you." Jenny said.
"I'm okay now. You should get back to bed."
Jenny nodded and pulled away. She knew that he wouldn't tell her anything now. She walked to the door and turned to look at him.
"I'm here for you Jethro, whenever you're ready to talk about your fears."
That said she switched off the light and closed his door.
Gibbs fell back against the pillows and swallowed convulsively. The images from the nightmare danced before his eyes. Jenny's hurt expression tore at his heart.
I can never tell you Jen.
Rolling onto his side he stood up and immediately reached out for the wall. He was dizzy and his head throbbed. Taking a deep breath he waited for his vision to clear. He headed into the en-suite bathroom, splashed water on his face and torso and looked at himself.
Why is this happening to me!
He had to make it stop. He had to get control of his life again. He had to package this fear or whatever the hell it was and shove it to the deepest darkest recesses of his mind. He could not afford to have another episode like this. He could not scare Jenny, or God forbid hurt her and his babies.
He walked back into the bedroom and reached for his clothes. He had no intention of getting back into bed. He headed down to the kitchen and put on a pot of coffee.
If I don't sleep, I can't dream.
"Just for tonight. I'll see Rothman and everything will be better." Gibbs said softly. "It will be better."
oooooooooOOOOOooooooooo
The next morning, Tony and Ziva arrived at the office at the same time.
"How is Gibbs?" Ziva asked.
"He was okay when I left him last night. A bit annoyed at being escorted up to bed and forced to take his pills." Tony replied.
McGee arrived a few minutes later and commented, "Abby went over to see him last night but Jenny refused to let her go upstairs."
"That must have made Abby angry." Ziva said.
"She is furious, pacing up and down the lab. She even refused the Caf-Pow I brought her." McGee said.
"I'll speak to her." Tony said just as his desk phone rang.
"Agent DiNozzo."
"Tony," Jenny's voice was strained.
"Madam Director, what's wrong?"
"Have you seen or heard from Jethro this morning?"
"No," The team gathered around Tony's desk. "Did something happen?"
"Is McGee there?"
"Yes. But..."
"Hand him the phone Tony." Jenny ordered.
"McGee, the Director wants to speak to you." Tony said as his eyes rolled over to Ziva.
She mouthed, what's happened? Tony mouthed back I think Gibbs has gone AWOL. Ziva's jaw dropped in concern. Of all the things, they never expected him to run away from Jenny.
"Hello," McGee greeted hesitation and concern in his voice.
"Tim, I need you to trace Jethro's cell phone. Do it now." Jenny ordered.
"Right away." McGee started clicking away at Tony's computer as Tony put the phone on speaker.
"Anything McGee?"
"Not yet." McGee replied.
"Tell Tony to check with Ducky and Abby if Jethro's contacted them."
"On it." Tony replied.
"I'll call Ducky, "Ziva said heading for her desk.
"McGee, have you found him."
"No, Madam Director. His phone must be switched off." McGee replied.
"Tony?" Jenny demanded. No one was in any doubt about how upset she was. Her breathe was hitched and controlled, her voice sharp.
"Abby has not heard from him." Tony said.
"Neither has Ducky." Ziva said.
"Oh damn him!" Jenny moaned.
"Are you alright?" Tony asked.
"Just find him." Jenny gasped.
"I'll trace the GPS on his car." McGee offered.
"No, he didn't take his car." Jenny said through clenched teeth.
"Jenny, we'll go over to his house and see if his there." Ziva said.
"I'll keep the search on his phone open. The minute he switches on his phone, I'll get a location on him." McGee offered, just as Abby and Ducky rushed into the bullpen.
"Where's Gibbs?" Abby demanded.
"Jenny, did something happen last night?" Ducky asked.
"Dr Mallard, could you come over now please. Argh." Jenny gasped.
"Jenny? What's wrong? Did Jethro hurt you?" Ducky asked, surprising everyone.
"No." Jenny gasped. "I'm ... bleeding..."
"Oh dear." Ducky exclaimed. "I want you to lie down, your legs to be elevated on a pillow. I'll be there as quickly as I can."
"Hurry..." Jenny sobbed as the line went dead.
"Oh... oh... OH!" Abby gasped as Ducky rushed to the elevator.
"Abby, calm down." Tony took her into his arms.
"She's bleeding!" Abby whispered. "She could be losing their babies!"
"This is terrible!" McGee said.
"You think, Probie!" Tony snapped.
"Tony," Ziva placed a hand on his arm to calm him. "We can't do anything about what may or may not be happening to Jenny. But we can do something about finding Gibbs."
"You're right." Tony said, pushing Abby away at arm's length. "You and McGee keep at tracing his cell phone, credit cards, banking accounts and call me the minute you have anything."
"But..." McGee started protesting.
"We have to do it, McGee." Abby slapped his arm. "We have to find Gibbs. Jenny needs him."
"Okay... okay. Gibbs will understand why we had to do this." McGee replied.
"Ziva, you're with me." Tony said, grabbed his gear and headed for the elevator.
oooooooooOOOOOooooooooo
Ducky arrived at Jenny's house to find Jenny sobbing as Milenka forced her to lie down.
"Señora, please do not move so." Milenka pleaded. "Señor Mallard is here to help."
"My babies. Oh Ducky..." Jenny gasped as another cramp ripped through her body.
"Ah Dios! Señor, please help my Señora."Milenka held Jenny's hand.
"Shh, Jenny. Let me take a look." Ducky said.
"This can't be happening!" Jenny sobbed as Ducky removed the towel from between Jenny's legs. It was stained with blood as were her upper thighs.
"Milenka," Ducky said, as he replaced the towel. "I want you to call 911, now."
"No! Please God ... No.... I need Jethro. Where is he? Damn it, where is he?" Jenny cried as Ducky gathered her into his arms.
oooooooooOOOOOooooooooo
Author's Note:
That's it for this chapter.... Don't hate me too much for the cliffhanger....
Where is Gibbs?
Did Jenny loose her babies?
Stay tuned to find out.....and as always .... Please review.